Chile jet arrives in Britain to await ruling on Pinochet home

A Chilean jet was yesterday waiting at a British airbase to take former dictator Augusto Pinochet home if his extradition case is dropped.

The Chilean air force Boeing 707 touched down at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Saturday night after flying from Bermuda, where its crew had been waiting out the legal battle in London. Groups which oppose allowing the former dictator to return to Chile on health grounds will learn today whether they can go ahead with a last-ditch legal challenge.

Mr Justice Maurice Kay is expected to rule whether Belgium and six human rights groups can seek a judicial review of the home secretary, Jack Straw's refusal to let them see the medical reports which prompted his warning that he was "minded" to drop the extradition proceedings. If the judge rejects the request, the way will be clear for Mr Straw to announce his final decision which could see the 84-year-old former dictator heading back to Chile. The home secretary has undertaken not to make an announcement while the matter is before the courts.

He has also promised to give parties 24 hours notice before delivering his verdict. Belgium, one of four countries seeking to extradite General Pinochet to face charges of human rights abuses, is arguing it has a right to see the medical report drawn up by home office-appointed doctors to enable it to make representations to the home secretary.

Six human rights groups which also took part in last week's high court hearing have complained they cannot make sensible representations without seeing the report.